Presley and Zac’s story begins far sooner than when they started dating.

When Zac transitioned from a private to a public school, he attended Edythe J. Hayes Middle School, where Presley had just transferred for eighth grade year. Unfortunately, they never shared any classes together and didn’t meet, despite sharing the same hallways. Any chance of meeting in some way was dashed by Zac’s move to Illinois halfway through 8th grade year. After being away through freshman year of high school, Zac and his family returned to Lexington.

The story of Zac and Presley truly began their sophomore year at Henry Clay High School in AP World History class. The two became fast friends and were often admonished for talking when they shouldn’t have been. Zac has said that this is when his crush on Presley began.

The next year, Presley and Zac were in the same AP US History class (history classes really set the ball rolling on this relationship). They made sure to arrange the seating chart so they sat next to each other in the back of the room and spent the year getting closer and closer. They made sure they were partners for every group assignment and were generally inseparable throughout the year in that class. Once again, they were often called out for talking too much and were even told by their teacher that they would get married one day. Both agreed that was absolutely not happening, and that they were just great friends.

After high school graduation, both Presley and Zac attended the University of Kentucky. Zac joined the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity, which happened to host Presley’s favorite frat parties. Their friendship continued, flirting may have increased here and there, and they made time to regularly catch up with each other’s lives. Just! Friends!

In 2019, Presley and Zac met for a drink at Zac’s favorite brewery, Mirror Twin. They talked about the start of their careers and how life has been since college. By the end of the night, both wondered if it had been more of a date than two friends getting together. After they kissed goodbye in the parking lot, they were sure it had been their first date.

2020 comes and with it the weird state of the world. Their romance fizzled out, but their friendship remained. They were busy staying indoors, working from home, and contemplating if the world would ever be normal again. Just a few months later, on Derby Day, Zac decided to send Presley a snapchat, making a joke about the Derby because Presley’s dog is named Derby. Presley promptly responded, sharing the news that she had actually just gotten out of a relationship, and that the timing of him reaching out was funny. Zac wasted no time and asked when he could take her out.

Thus begins the current story of Presley and Zac. Things were made official after a race day at Keeneland, and official-official when Zac proposed on December 2nd, 2023 in their backyard. They are so excited to begin this next chapter of their lives together and look forward to all to come.